Tess of the Pops

Whilst we're on a break from 1998, my short story 'Tess of the Pops' has just been published in the July edition of Best of Woman's Weekly Fiction. Available from WHSmith and other newsagents from today!

Mulder and Scully and Top of the Pops

 Things and getting strange, I'm starting to worry, this could be a case for the 30th of January 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

The tune is out there

30-1-98:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(2) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever

Another showing but the song couldn't get back to the top.

(10) CHUMBAWAMBA – Amnesia

Performing their second and final top ten hit but it got no higher.

(7) ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Angels

Another showing and the song will peak at number 4.

(3) CATATONIA – Mulder And Scully

Making their studio debut with their first of three top ten hits, this one being their biggest, but it got no higher.

(15) JULIET ROBERTS – So Good

With her sixth of eight top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(11) GREEN DAY – Time Of Your Life (Good Riddance)

Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong is here on his own tonight to perform a live version of the song but it got no higher.

(13) BYRON STINGILY – You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

This Sylvester cover was his biggest hit but it got no higher.

(1) USHER – You Make Me Wanna…  (and credits)

Making his debut with his first of four number ones, but this stayed there just one week.

My Star of the Pops

 I'll see you in my star, I'll see you in my 23rd of January 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

Stony face

23-1-98:   Presenter:  Jamie Theakston

(16) PETER ANDRE – All Night All Right

Getting tonight's show underway but the song got no higher.

(7) LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY – High

A third time in the studio with a tune that had peaked at number 4.

(4) RADIOHEAD – No Surprises  (from Later With Jools Holland)

Third single from their number one album, OK Computer, and it was at its peak.

(11) OTT – Story Of Love

Performing their fourth and final top 40 hit, and it got no higher.

(5) IAN BROWN – My Star

Making his solo debut with his first of three top ten hits but this one got no higher.

(NEW) BACKSTREET BOYS – All I Have To Give

Here with what will become a number 2 hit.

(1) OASIS – All Around The World  (video)  (and credits)

First and only week at number one.

Top of the Pops Untouchable

 I'll soak my skin in alcohol until I feel the 16th of January 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

Clocking on

16-1-98:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(20) RIALTO – Untouchable

Getting the show underway with their second of three top 40 hits, this was the biggest but it got no higher.

(6) ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Angels

Third studio performance for the song which had peaked at number 4.

(11) CLOCK – That’s The Way (I Like It)

This KC and the Sunshine Band cover was at its peak.

(7) LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY – High

A second studio performance for the song that had already peaked at number 4.

(NEW) OASIS – All Around The World  (video)

Third and final single from their number one album, Be Here Now, and it will get to number one.

(1) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever

Finally making it to number one, even if for one week only.

(2) BAMBOO – Bamboogie  (video)  (and credits)

Their only top ten hit and it was at its peak.

5, 6, 7, 8, Top of the Pops

 My foot kickin, finger lickin, leather slappin, hand clappin 9th of January 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

Stepping out

9-1-98:   Presenter:  Jo Whiley

(5) LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY – High

Getting the new year underway and the song peaked at number 4.

(14) STEPS – 5, 6, 7, 8

Finally making their studio debut and the song was now at its peak.

(4) JANET JACKSON – Together Again

A second studio performance but the song could get no higher.

(6) SPACE – Avenging Angels

Performing their second of three top ten hits but it got no higher.

(2) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever

Still climbing the charts!

(15) WARREN G. feat. SISSEL – Prince Igor  (video)

Got no higher.

(19) VANILLA – No Way No Way

With their first of two top 40 hits, this was the biggest and it peaked at number 14.

(1) VARIOUS ARTISTS – Perfect Day  (video)  (and credits)

Returning to the top of the carts for a second and final week.

Too Much Top of the Pops

 But something's coming over to make the 25th of December 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!

Ladies Night

25-12-97:   Presenters:  Zoë Ball, Jayne Middlemiss & Jo Whiley

(-) ETERNAL feat. BEBE WINANS – I Wanna Be The Only One

15th biggest selling single of 1997.

(-) HANSON – MMMBop

11th biggest seller.

(47) CHUMBAWAMBA – Tubthumping 

7th biggest single.

(-) GALA – Freed From Desire

17th best seller.

(-) SARAH BRIGHTMAN & ANDREA BOCELLI – Time To Say Goodbye

22nd best seller.

(8) NATALIE IMBRUGLIA – Torn

10th biggest selling single.

(-) SASH! – Megamix

The 27th, 24th and 21st best selling singles.

(-) SHOLA AMA – You Might Need Somebody

32nd best seller.

(-) ULTRA NATÉ – Free

20th biggest single.

(4) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever

16th biggest selling single of 1997.

(-) TEXAS – Say What You Want

46th best seller.

(6) AQUA – Barbie Girl 

2nd best seller.

(11) ELTON JOHN – Something About The Way You Look Tonight  (video)

Number one best selling single of 1997, and of all time.

(1) SPICE GIRLS – Too Much  (and credits)

This year's Christmas number one.

Top of the Pops Back to You

 And if I wish upon a star, some day it'll be the 19th of December 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!

Doing it for you

19-12-97:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(8) NATALIE IMBRUGLIA – Torn

Getting the last regular edition of 1997 underway with a song that was going back up the charts after having already peaked at number 2.

(5) ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Angels

A second studio performance and the song will go up another place.

(18) BRYAN ADAMS – Back To You

Here tonight but the song got no higher.

(4) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever

A third studio performance and the song will get to number one in the new year.

(12) U2 – If God Will Send His Angels  (video)

At its peak.

(NEW) CHICKEN SHED – I Am In Love With The World

Performing their only hit and it will peak at number 15.

(11) CELINE DION – The Reason

In the studio tonight but the song got no higher.

(17) STING & THE POLICE – Roxanne ‘97

Sting with a live studio performance of the Police song that had peaked at number 12 in 1979, but this time around number 17 was as high as it got.

(1) TELETUBBIES – Teletubbies Say “Eh-Oh”  (video)  (and credits)

Second and final week at number one.